KPV is a C-terminal tripeptide fragment of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Below is a curated selection of peer-reviewed studies investigating its properties.
2022
Recent Advances in KPV Peptide Delivery
Journal of Nanomedicine & Biotherapeutic Discovery
This review summarises a decade of research progress on KPV formulation and delivery strategies, covering nanoparticle encapsulation, glycoalkylation to improve metabolic stability, and iontophoretic methods. It highlights that unmodified KPV degrades to its three constituent amino acids within 24 hours.
View Paper â2017
Orally Targeted Delivery of Tripeptide KPV via Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalised Nanoparticles for Ulcerative Colitis
Biomaterials (PMC / Open Access)
This study developed hyaluronic acid-coated nanoparticles loaded with KPV, which selectively targeted CD44-overexpressing cells in inflamed bowel tissue. Oral administration in a mouse colitis model produced significant reductions in TNF-α, IL-6, and histological inflammation scores, demonstrating superior efficacy over free KPV.
View Paper â2017
Transdermal Iontophoretic Delivery of KPV for Skin Inflammation
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (ScienceDirect)
This paper explored the use of iontophoresis to enhance transdermal delivery of KPV for localised skin inflammatory conditions. The researchers demonstrated that iontophoretic delivery significantly increased KPV skin permeation compared to passive diffusion, with maintained biological activity on arrival.
View Paper â2013
Single Administration of KPV Attenuates Brain Damage After Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice
PMC / PLoS ONE
This study demonstrated that a single intraperitoneal administration of KPV 30 minutes after controlled cortical impact significantly reduced secondary brain lesion volume in mice. The neuroprotective effect was associated with reduced neuronal apoptosis and microglial activation, mediated at least in part via MC1R and MC4R pathways.
View Paper â2012
Mechanism of KPV Action and a Role for MC3R Agonists in Pulmonary Inflammation
American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology (PMC / NIH)
This study investigated how KPV suppresses chemokine signalling from airway epithelial cells in inflammatory lung diseases. It identified KPV’s interaction with the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) as a key pathway, reducing macrophage recruitment and pro-inflammatory cytokine release in lung tissue.
View Paper â2008
PepT1-Mediated Tripeptide KPV Uptake Reduces Intestinal Inflammation
Gastroenterology (PMC / NIH)
This study demonstrated that KPV is actively transported into intestinal epithelial and immune cells via the PepT1 transporter, which is upregulated in inflamed colon tissue. At nanomolar concentrations, KPV inhibited NF-ÎșB and MAP kinase inflammatory signalling pathways and significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion.
View Paper â